Powrachute PEGASUS accident near Manhattan, Kansas, October 21, 2023
On October 21, 2023 at about 1:28 pm local time, a 2006 Powrachute PEGASUS (powered parachute), registered N52631, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Manhattan, Kansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper modification of the engine cooling system that resulted in an engine overheat and total loss of power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight after the engine overheat light illuminated instead of performing a precautionary landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2023 · about 1:28 pm local time
- Place
- Manhattan, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Powrachute PEGASUS UNDESIGNAT, built 2006 · all PEGASUSs on the register
- Registration
- N52631 · registry record · serial A181PEG
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before departing on the local area flight in the experimental powered parachute, the pilot installed a large heavy-duty deer feed bag that partially covered the radiator. He was concerned that the experimental engine would run “too cold” during the flight unless the radiator was partially covered. The powered parachute was flying about 400 ft above ground level when the pilot noticed that the engine overheat light illuminated. The pilot decided to continue flying. Shortly after, the engine sustained a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a road and the powered parachute came to rest upright on a grass embankment near the road. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies with the engine. The large heavy-duty deer feed bag was found covering about 3/4 of the radiator surface area and was secured with two bungee cords. According to the airframe and engine manufacturers, neither company has published any guidance on covering up the radiator for flight operations. The large heavy-duty deer feed bag obstructed the radiator inlet and restricted its designed cooling capability. The engine then did not have a source of adequate cooling, which likely resulted in the engine overheating and a total loss of engine power. The pilot noticed the engine overheat light was illuminated and continued with normal flight operations when guidance from the engine manufacturer states to perform a precautionary landing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng liquid cooling › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Unnecessary action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: powered-lift
- Flight time: 165 hours in all; 165 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 165 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 21, 2023
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 228 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 8, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax Aircraft Engines 582 UL (piston); 228 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: None Manhattan KS at 1:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 7:52 am from KMHK, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMHK 211252Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 06/04 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP126 T00610044
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN24LA031.